Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
@melsoderstrom.bsky.social
Assistant Professor & Pre-Law Advisor @ Texas State | PhD in Criminal Justice from UCF | JD from William & Mary | Former public defender | Researcher of juvenile justice, school policing, youth mental health, and practitioner training | 🇵🇷
Pinned
‘It takes a special cop to be an SRO’: school resource officers’ perceptions of selection for the position
School resource officers (SROs) play a critical role in U.S. schools, often serving as law enforcement, educators, and counselors. The extant literature emphasizes the importance of SROs’ law enfor...
www.tandfonline.com
🚨New pub with PhD student @shallen-a.bsky.social (She’s on the job market!) in PPR exploring SROs’ perceptions of selection for the position. It was suggested that being a parent and effective communicator, some law enforcement experience, and an ability to multitask are helpful characteristics.
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
We are continuing our effort with the “LC Scholars on the Market” - Vitoria De Francisco Lopes and Carolina Caliman have great possibilities to contribute your program/department/school!
[https://www.latcrim.org/on-the-market.html]
[https://www.latcrim.org/on-the-market.html]
November 7, 2025 at 3:53 PM
We are continuing our effort with the “LC Scholars on the Market” - Vitoria De Francisco Lopes and Carolina Caliman have great possibilities to contribute your program/department/school!
[https://www.latcrim.org/on-the-market.html]
[https://www.latcrim.org/on-the-market.html]
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
We’ve had a great year at PPR. Here’s our Q3 performance
October 31, 2025 at 12:59 PM
We’ve had a great year at PPR. Here’s our Q3 performance
After working in the criminal justice system having to deal with crimes against children, I would argue to not post photos on ANY social media accounts. It’s definitely very challenging to not post when you have a cute baby you want to share with world! Grandparents get REAL mad too 🙄
I’ve spent the last several days reading very heavy transcripts from a federal criminal trial and I just . . .
Please stop posting photos and videos of children on public social media accounts. You have no idea how others are using/manipulating those images.
Please stop posting photos and videos of children on public social media accounts. You have no idea how others are using/manipulating those images.
October 18, 2025 at 11:09 PM
After working in the criminal justice system having to deal with crimes against children, I would argue to not post photos on ANY social media accounts. It’s definitely very challenging to not post when you have a cute baby you want to share with world! Grandparents get REAL mad too 🙄
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
We are thrilled to announce that our NEW Large Language Model will be released on 11.18.25.
October 1, 2025 at 2:38 PM
We are thrilled to announce that our NEW Large Language Model will be released on 11.18.25.
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
Today is #NationalLawEnforcementSuicideAwarenessDay
I wrote this dedication for my dissertation in 2021. In the 4 years since, another 500 officers have died by suicide. It is for these individuals - these mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, friends - that I do this work. (1/)
I wrote this dedication for my dissertation in 2021. In the 4 years since, another 500 officers have died by suicide. It is for these individuals - these mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, friends - that I do this work. (1/)
September 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Today is #NationalLawEnforcementSuicideAwarenessDay
I wrote this dedication for my dissertation in 2021. In the 4 years since, another 500 officers have died by suicide. It is for these individuals - these mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, friends - that I do this work. (1/)
I wrote this dedication for my dissertation in 2021. In the 4 years since, another 500 officers have died by suicide. It is for these individuals - these mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, friends - that I do this work. (1/)
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
'Rapture' comes from the Latin 'rapere' meaning "to seize and carry off."
'Raptor' also comes from 'rapere.'
We hope neither carries you off today.
'Raptor' also comes from 'rapere.'
We hope neither carries you off today.
September 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM
'Rapture' comes from the Latin 'rapere' meaning "to seize and carry off."
'Raptor' also comes from 'rapere.'
We hope neither carries you off today.
'Raptor' also comes from 'rapere.'
We hope neither carries you off today.
🚨New pub with PhD student @shallen-a.bsky.social (She’s on the job market!) in PPR exploring SROs’ perceptions of selection for the position. It was suggested that being a parent and effective communicator, some law enforcement experience, and an ability to multitask are helpful characteristics.
‘It takes a special cop to be an SRO’: school resource officers’ perceptions of selection for the position
School resource officers (SROs) play a critical role in U.S. schools, often serving as law enforcement, educators, and counselors. The extant literature emphasizes the importance of SROs’ law enfor...
www.tandfonline.com
September 8, 2025 at 2:42 PM
🚨New pub with PhD student @shallen-a.bsky.social (She’s on the job market!) in PPR exploring SROs’ perceptions of selection for the position. It was suggested that being a parent and effective communicator, some law enforcement experience, and an ability to multitask are helpful characteristics.
🚨New publication with awesome co-authors from UCF, South Florida, and Georgia Southern evaluating YMHFA training with public safety professionals🚨 Free access for 50 days!
Youth mental health first aid training outcomes among public safety professionals serving high-risk youth
This study examined the effectiveness of Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA), an educational training program designed to teach adults how to identi…
www.sciencedirect.com
August 25, 2025 at 5:21 PM
🚨New publication with awesome co-authors from UCF, South Florida, and Georgia Southern evaluating YMHFA training with public safety professionals🚨 Free access for 50 days!
Latest publication is out today exploring how SROs become involved with student misbehavior and the factors influencing arrest decision-making. 50 free downloads are available!
‘Being a pain in the ass is not a criminal offense’: a qualitative exploration of school resource officers’ arrest behaviors
Policing research since the 1960s has explored the arrest behaviors of patrol officers. It is unclear whether the findings from this body of research are applicable to a growing subpopulation of la...
www.tandfonline.com
July 28, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Latest publication is out today exploring how SROs become involved with student misbehavior and the factors influencing arrest decision-making. 50 free downloads are available!
Wonderful news. Such interesting and impactful articles recently! The editorial team at Police Practice & Research has been wonderful to work with and so understanding and kind when I requested a deadline extension due to having a baby (which was not as common of a response as one would hope😐).
😮 Fantastic news re: Google metrics! The team is gonna be thrilled. This is really a testament to how hard they’ve worked, as well as to the fabulousness of our Editorial board! Thanks @danslawrence.bsky.social for heads up!
July 24, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Wonderful news. Such interesting and impactful articles recently! The editorial team at Police Practice & Research has been wonderful to work with and so understanding and kind when I requested a deadline extension due to having a baby (which was not as common of a response as one would hope😐).
New pub analyzing involuntary commitment examinations of students in a school district that expanded their SRO program. Key takeaway = examinations are another collateral consequence of SRO implementation that should be considered by policymakers/school districts/public. doi.org/10.1080/1538...
School Policing and Involuntary Commitment Examinations of Students Under Florida’s Baker Act
Research is silent surrounding school resource officers’ (SROs) role in involuntary commitment examinations arising from incidents at school. This study leverages changes to one Florida county’s SR...
doi.org
July 11, 2025 at 8:02 PM
New pub analyzing involuntary commitment examinations of students in a school district that expanded their SRO program. Key takeaway = examinations are another collateral consequence of SRO implementation that should be considered by policymakers/school districts/public. doi.org/10.1080/1538...
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
Academia's culture of competition breeds this kind of cruelty. Too often, faculty who've suffered in these systems believe that suffering is what made them successful. So, they perpetuate that suffering with their own students, rather than seeing that success doesn't have to be wrought that way.
If you suffered in life and want other people to suffer as you did because
"you turned out fine," you did not in fact turn out fine.
"you turned out fine," you did not in fact turn out fine.
March 16, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Academia's culture of competition breeds this kind of cruelty. Too often, faculty who've suffered in these systems believe that suffering is what made them successful. So, they perpetuate that suffering with their own students, rather than seeing that success doesn't have to be wrought that way.
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
NEW study examining suicidal ideation among law enforcement officers. The big (not surprising) takeaway: improving mental health and responses to PTSD are critical aspects to preventing suicide among this population. More details in thread and links at the end.
March 10, 2025 at 1:29 PM
NEW study examining suicidal ideation among law enforcement officers. The big (not surprising) takeaway: improving mental health and responses to PTSD are critical aspects to preventing suicide among this population. More details in thread and links at the end.
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
The next issue of PPR.
February 26, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The next issue of PPR.
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
Join me for an illuminating discussion about mental health and wellness services in policing with Dr. Kathleen (Padillahttps://bsky.app/profile/kepadil.bsky.social) from Texas State University at San Marcos.
February 25, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Join me for an illuminating discussion about mental health and wellness services in policing with Dr. Kathleen (Padillahttps://bsky.app/profile/kepadil.bsky.social) from Texas State University at San Marcos.
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
TXST is officially on BlueSky! Follow us here for an inside look on Bobcat news, student life, and academic updates.
January 29, 2025 at 8:18 PM
TXST is officially on BlueSky! Follow us here for an inside look on Bobcat news, student life, and academic updates.
🚨New publication alert!🚨 Using participant observations and interviews with SROs and supervisors, I explored the content and usefulness of SRO training requirements. Three major problems with the training are identified and discussed. Let me know if you need a copy!
doi.org/10.1108/PIJP...
doi.org/10.1108/PIJP...
A qualitative exploration of school resource officer training in a Florida school district
| Emerald Insight
1
doi.org
January 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
🚨New publication alert!🚨 Using participant observations and interviews with SROs and supervisors, I explored the content and usefulness of SRO training requirements. Three major problems with the training are identified and discussed. Let me know if you need a copy!
doi.org/10.1108/PIJP...
doi.org/10.1108/PIJP...
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
✨NOW ONLINE: A mixed-methods study on how personal & professional support (especially w/ families) impacts women’s org commitment in policing.
Spoiler: More support = more commitment
S/O to ASEBP AC/DC for making this possible!
Limited free access: bit.ly/4h2dmXO
Spoiler: More support = more commitment
S/O to ASEBP AC/DC for making this possible!
Limited free access: bit.ly/4h2dmXO
January 23, 2025 at 1:55 PM
✨NOW ONLINE: A mixed-methods study on how personal & professional support (especially w/ families) impacts women’s org commitment in policing.
Spoiler: More support = more commitment
S/O to ASEBP AC/DC for making this possible!
Limited free access: bit.ly/4h2dmXO
Spoiler: More support = more commitment
S/O to ASEBP AC/DC for making this possible!
Limited free access: bit.ly/4h2dmXO
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
‼️ New research out with @danslawrence.bsky.social &
Jessica Dockstader of CNA
We examined suicide rates among LEOs using data collected by First H.E.L.P. & discuss the importance of accurate data collection on the topic
Limited free access here: bit.ly/3Eflgyp
Jessica Dockstader of CNA
We examined suicide rates among LEOs using data collected by First H.E.L.P. & discuss the importance of accurate data collection on the topic
Limited free access here: bit.ly/3Eflgyp
Unveiling the silent battle: suicide rates among law enforcement personnel
Accurately calculating suicide rates among law enforcement officers has been a longstanding challenge. Since 2016, the nonprofit organization First H.E.L.P. has implemented a standardized and rigor...
bit.ly
January 22, 2025 at 3:55 PM
‼️ New research out with @danslawrence.bsky.social &
Jessica Dockstader of CNA
We examined suicide rates among LEOs using data collected by First H.E.L.P. & discuss the importance of accurate data collection on the topic
Limited free access here: bit.ly/3Eflgyp
Jessica Dockstader of CNA
We examined suicide rates among LEOs using data collected by First H.E.L.P. & discuss the importance of accurate data collection on the topic
Limited free access here: bit.ly/3Eflgyp
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
Just out at PPR
January 22, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Just out at PPR
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
Qualitative researchers' experiences of methodologically incongruent peer review feedback
w/ @ginnybraun.bsky.social @jeffnz.bsky.social @janeemcallaghan.bsky.social @andrealamarre.bsky.social & @joannasemlyen.bsky.social
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
w/ @ginnybraun.bsky.social @jeffnz.bsky.social @janeemcallaghan.bsky.social @andrealamarre.bsky.social & @joannasemlyen.bsky.social
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
December 17, 2024 at 10:26 PM
Qualitative researchers' experiences of methodologically incongruent peer review feedback
w/ @ginnybraun.bsky.social @jeffnz.bsky.social @janeemcallaghan.bsky.social @andrealamarre.bsky.social & @joannasemlyen.bsky.social
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
w/ @ginnybraun.bsky.social @jeffnz.bsky.social @janeemcallaghan.bsky.social @andrealamarre.bsky.social & @joannasemlyen.bsky.social
psycnet.apa.org/fulltext/202...
@latcrim.bsky.social is now on Bluesky and is very kindly featuring me for their Winter Spotlight!
Dear LC comunidad y familia,
We hope you and all your loved ones are safe and healthy.
I also hope you are having a smooth end to the semester/quarter as well having a wonderful start to the holiday season!
Melanie Palacios Soderstrom is the Winter 2024 Latina/o/x Criminology Scholar Spotlight!
We hope you and all your loved ones are safe and healthy.
I also hope you are having a smooth end to the semester/quarter as well having a wonderful start to the holiday season!
Melanie Palacios Soderstrom is the Winter 2024 Latina/o/x Criminology Scholar Spotlight!
December 16, 2024 at 6:57 PM
@latcrim.bsky.social is now on Bluesky and is very kindly featuring me for their Winter Spotlight!
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
New publication to wrap up the year! In this collaborative study with SFU colleagues, we examined the effects of COVID-19 on intimate partner violence among Metro Vancouver residents, BC.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
A ‘Pandemic within a Pandemic’: Metro Vancouver Women’s Experience with Intimate Partner Violence during the COVID-19 Pandemic - Journal of Family Violence
Purpose COVID-19 public health measures exacerbated intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure among women across the world. In the current study, we examine how provincial restrictions in British Colum...
link.springer.com
December 3, 2024 at 8:35 PM
New publication to wrap up the year! In this collaborative study with SFU colleagues, we examined the effects of COVID-19 on intimate partner violence among Metro Vancouver residents, BC.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
Reposted by Dr. Melanie Palacios Soderstrom
First time on the job market! I am a dedicated and passionate criminology researcher. Research interests include violent crime, enviro crim, quant methods, policing (investigation & forensics). I am also an NIJGRF recipient. Pls send job postings 🎉 my bio:
www.researchgate.net/profile/Apri...
www.researchgate.net/profile/Apri...
April CHAI | PhD Candidate | Master of Arts | Texas State University, San Marcos | TxSt | Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology | Research profile
Current research interests include: sex offences, sexual homicide, body disposal patterns, environmental criminology, advanced quantitative methods, criminal investigative methods.
www.researchgate.net
December 3, 2024 at 5:27 PM
First time on the job market! I am a dedicated and passionate criminology researcher. Research interests include violent crime, enviro crim, quant methods, policing (investigation & forensics). I am also an NIJGRF recipient. Pls send job postings 🎉 my bio:
www.researchgate.net/profile/Apri...
www.researchgate.net/profile/Apri...
Check out my latest open access pub: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Instructors’ challenges facilitating mental health first aid training with law enforcement
Following highly publicized incidents of police responses to individuals with a mental illness, policing executives attempt to placate public outcry by mandating mental health training. However, po...
www.tandfonline.com
December 2, 2024 at 12:27 AM
Check out my latest open access pub: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....